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Thu Oct 23, 2008 7:51 am

I just picked up a set for cheap on ebay! Does anybody know how to wire them? Is there a relay in the loop?

Does anybody have a wiring diagram they could scan and post?

Thx!

Thu Oct 23, 2008 8:06 am

The wiring is no different (circuit wise) than the regular horn. I presume they have 2 terminals on each one. If not, they probably won't work as the horn circuit is switched on the ground side, and thus the horn cannot be electrically grounded to the body (that is why VW horns have 2 terms, not one).

In your pic I think I see two, and they were made for VWs that would be expected.

They are wired in parallel, not series (not loop).

................................<------+---------------+
......To dash harness horn 1 horn 2
................................<------+---------------+

As for the relay, it is not absolutely necessary but would probably be a good idea. I had a pair of those once and measured the current at about 3 amps each, the std horn is 3-4 amps. The wiring can easily support that current, but you might get more arc under the horn button and on the steering column brush.

If you do relay switch them, you can then ground one side of each horn and switch (with the relay) on the hot side. This will simplify the wiring a bit. You can mount the realy up behind the dash and run a single wire down to the horns if you ground them to the body. You would need a 6 volt relay of course....

Thu Oct 23, 2008 8:53 am

thanks for the quick reply John. So basically I can take the wires that go to the horn on my car, split them, and run them to each one of the terminals on the horns, right? Here's a pic I found of an NOS kit, do you see anything in there that I might also need?

I was also thinking of running a little bit thicker gauge to while I'm at it. Thanks again John.

Thu Oct 23, 2008 9:51 am

Ninamashr wrote: thanks for the quick reply John. So basically I can take the wires that go to the horn on my car, split them, and run them to each one of the terminals on the horns, right? Here's a pic I found of an NOS kit, do you see anything in there that I might also need?

I was also thinking of running a little bit thicker gauge to while I'm at it. Thanks again John.

No.

Run each of the wires that go to your existing horn, each terminal of ONE of the new horns (doesn't matter which, there is no polarity in this case). Then make up 2 more "jumper" wires, and go from the two terminals on that horn, to the other horn.

That is if you don't use a relay.

If you use a relay, I'd have to draw you another pic......

Looks like originally they came with one. You can get 6 volt realys, Bosch still makes one I think. But as I said, you won't smoke wires if you don't, you might just carbon arc the button contacts a bit (more). Since you probably don't use the horn that much, it is no big deal.

Make sense?

Not sure why that kit would have a toggle switch, unless it was a way to "tie in" the FF horns with the existing one if you wanted to. Or switch between the two horns.

Are you going to mount them up on the bumper? You may have to fab some kind of bracket. Might be able to use a foglight bracket.. depends on how correct you want to go....

Thu Oct 23, 2008 9:54 am

BTW, thicker gauge to the new horns doesn't really do much unless you replace the wires back to the source with thicker wire also. 16 gauge is what the std harnesses used and is good for about 20 amps (AWG std, open air, "non bundled, chassis" wiring).

If you just go off your existing horn wires (no relay), you will have a fuse in the path as well. ....

Thu Oct 23, 2008 10:48 am

OK John, I think?!? this is how you said to wire them, is it right?

I just made this and posted it in the gallery just in case someone else has this problem. I do plan on fabricating my own brackets. The ones in the pic look like they are part of the rear of the ram protection bumpers. I might be able to weld a 90deg angle to the top of those brackets and go with those.

Thu Oct 23, 2008 11:17 am

Yep, that is it.....!

Thu Oct 23, 2008 11:37 am

The switch in the kit was a "Selector" switch. Push it in, you had stock horn function, pull it out, your fanfares would sound.

That's how I'll be wiring mine, with a relay :wink:

Thu Oct 23, 2008 1:26 pm

how do these sound compared to the stock horns...is there a sound clip anyone?

Thu Oct 23, 2008 6:07 pm

I wasn't impressed with the set I had. And I spent some time tuning them. Harmonized yes, but not all that loud. Maybe its because I have spent a good deal of time restoring the stock VW ones, and tuned right, they can be REAL loud. Unless I can get a Nathan K5LA in my split, I'll keep stock... :wink:

Mon Oct 27, 2008 6:06 pm

my03yellowv wrote: how do these sound compared to the stock horns...is there a sound clip anyone?

Here you go...

Tue Oct 28, 2008 7:44 am

The original horn wiring is connected to the relay. A new wire is run from the fuse panel to the relay for the horns. See Technical Bulletin E1.
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/manuals/techbulletins/e1/3_54_page2.jpg

Tue Oct 28, 2008 8:33 am

Thanks, for the sound clip I was a little dissapointed with them ...hopefully John can rebuild my orig horn.

Sat Nov 08, 2008 9:05 pm

If you are looking for an original horn that is decently loud sounding shape for a 6 volt and clean can help you out. send a message.